Iron fence



M (No Model.)

' S. W. MARTIN.-

V IRON'PENGE. No. 248,833. Patented Oct. 18,1881.

L ,fiwariloit UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

SAMUEL W. MARTIN, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

IRON FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 248,333, dated October 18, 1881,

Application filed August 29, 1881. (No model.)

der the connection between the rails and rods exceedingly cheap and simple, but at the same time to secure a fence of such character that the rail may be placed in an inclined position when it is required to locate the fence upon a hillside or other inclined surface.

With these ends in view, the invention consistsin providingthepickets with notches ordepressionsand inserting them through openings in the rail and compressing or indenting the rail edgewise, in order to set the metal into the notches in the pickets. The sectional form of the pickets may be modified as desired; but it is preferred to make use ofangular pickets and of a rail having a T form in cross-section.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view ofa pair of rails and picketsconnectedon my plan. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing the parts previous to their connection with each other. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section on the line was, illustrating the manner in which the metal of the rail is forced into the notch of the picket. Fig. 4 is an edge view, illustrating the manner in which the inclination of the rail is permitted.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a horizontal fence-rail of a T form in cross-section, its body or web extending backward in a horizontal position, having a series of holes, a,punched therein of suitable form and at suitable distances apart to receive the pickets.

B B represent the pickets, made in the present instance of a square form, each provided in the rear side with a notch or depression, b. The pickets are inserted endwise through the openings in the rail, and the latter subjected to the action of a press, punch, or equivalent device upon the rear edge, sufficient force be- ,ing applied to press the rear edge of the rail down rigidly and permanently into the notch of each picket, as clearly represented in Fig. 3. It will be seen that in this manner the rail and pickets are interlocked firmly and rigidly, the rails serving to sustain the pickets and hold them at the proper distance apart, while the pickets, in turn, serve to maintain the proper relation between the rails.

In order that the rails may be placed at an inclination from the horizontal, while the post and the pickets are permitted to remain in a vertical position, the openings are punched with a width somewhat greater than that of the pickets.

As the rail and pickets interlock at only a narrow central point on the rear edge, they have, in effect, a pivotal connection with each other, so that the rail with the widened openings is permitted to tip freely to a limited extent.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. As an improvement in iron fences, the combination of notched pickets and horizontal rails provided with openings, through which the pickets are passed, and having its metal compressed and seated in the notches of the pickets, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the vertical pickets having notches, the horizontal rail having openings through which the pickets are passed, having its metal compressed and seated permanently in the notches of the pickets, substantially as shown.

3. In combination with the notched pickets, the rail provided with the laterally-extended openings, and having its web forced into the notches, substantially as shown.

SAMUEL W. MARTIN.

Witnesses:

(J. 0. KIRKPATRICK, CHAS. D. HUNK. 

